What qualifications do you need to be a security manager?

Example Co. is one of the leading companies in our field in the area. We're proud of our 3.6 rating on Glassdoor from our employees. We are hiring a talented Security Manager professional to join our team. If you're excited to be part of a winning team, Example Co. is a great place to grow your career. You'll be glad you applied to Example Co.

Every company, organization, and agency uses computer systems to access, send, and store data. This information has value and security managers are in charge of protecting it. This job focuses on proactively setting up defenses against threats and responding to security breaches if they occur.

Information security professionals acquire specific technical skills during an undergraduate program. Learning about analyzing network activity, monitoring users, understanding vulnerabilities, performing scans, and preventing network intrusion are essential for anyone following this career path.

However, those with plans to ascend to a security manager position can learn additional skills in a graduate-level program or during professional certification courses. 

Security managers help protect businesses, property, and individuals. They have college or postsecondary training and keen perception, communication, and leadership abilities; and they earn a median annual salary of $71,370.

A security manager is responsible to create a safe environment and also has policies in place to react to emergency situations should they occur. Though they do handle situations involving dangerous or unauthorized people, these managers are just as good handling medical emergencies and evacuating people due to a fire emergency.

Watch a Video:

Find a College

How to Become a Security Manager

First, if you want to become a security manager you should be able to keep calm under pressure and make the right decisions to have the best outcome possible for the situation at hand. Most security managers have a degree after high school. Though 15% do hold an associate’s degree according to O*Net OnLine, most hold a bachelor’s degree.

Around 15% of those surveyed with this position reported having earned a master’s degree as well. As with any management position, a mix of education and experience is vital. Most employers consider military security or police experience as equivalent to education and experience as well.

Job Description of a Security Manager

Along with responding to emergencies, a security manager trains other security staff and company employees to react to an emergency safely. If they are not investigating a security issue or improving the security and surveillance of an area, they are most likely preparing to deal with emergencies. This may include creating and implementing safety policies and procedures for people to follow should an issue arise.

Security managers ensure their staff and company employees get to practice those procedures on a regular basis. For example, they may run building evaluation drills once a month or provide active shooter training to staff. They also ensure their own security staff’s skills to respond to a medical emergency are up-to-date and practiced.

Security Manager Career Video Transcript

Security is a top priority in every company, whether it’s preventing theft or being prepared for emergencies. For many, security managers make the difference between being safe and being sorry. Security managers protect the safety of employees, facilities, and the assets of an organization. They assess risks and establish policies to prevent dangers such as fires, bomb threats, medical emergencies, and intrusions.

These security professionals evaluate building layouts to plan for evacuation, hiding during a crisis, and detaining or apprehending criminals. In all kinds of workplaces, whether it’s a bank or a mall, if security is breached, security managers are in charge of identifying the location and problem, and resolving it. One of their key roles is to design security systems that track activity and establish safeguards at building entrances, exits, and other sensitive areas. This strategic thinking and preparation keeps both people and property safe.

Many security managers enter the field with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, security management, or a similar field. Some employers prefer candidates with experience in the police force or military. A driver’s license and security training related to the industry is helpful.

Article Citations

National Center for O*NET Development. 11-9199.07. O*NET OnLine.

The career video is in the public domain from the U. S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.

What are the requirements for a security manager?

What do you do as a security manager?

Is security manager a good career?

What requirements are needed to be a security?